Alyson Smith (15 May 1962 - 25 Dec 2022)

In loving memory of Alyson Smith who sadly passed away on 25th December 2022.

Alyson was born and christened on 15th May 1962. She was not expected to survive, but this little miracle had a drive and zest for life that defied the doctors’ expectations and enabled her to shine so bright and to accomplish so many things in her relatively short life.
Growing up next to a farm in Bakewell with her sister Georgina, running around the nearby fields with her friends pretending to be horses is a memory she fondly treasured. Little did she know that this would be significant in later life.
As she grew up, her close family was near at hand with her Auntie Diane, Uncle Brian and cousins Simon and Matthew also living in Bakewell. Not being one to keep regular hours, she also enjoyed many happy times with her Auntie Di, particularly impromptu make up sessions at 3am in the morning.
She attended Lady Manners School in Bakewell and excelled in music and was a member of the school band on cornet (which is still in the loft). At an early age this passion for music led her to performing in a professional duo with her father as the “Family Tree Duo”. Following a performance supporting Carl Denver, the Derbyshire Times stated 15 year old Alyson wants to be a star and quoted Alyson as saying “I’m going to make it!”
She left school at 16 and joined Ambrose Printing in Bakewell where she learnt her trade whilst still performing with the Family Tree Duo.
She was quite physically fit in those days and had joined Bakewell Karate Club which she enjoyed.
While working at Derbyshire County Council she met Kevin and they were married in 1983. She obviously started as she meant to go on – when trying to cut the wedding cake, Kevin was struggling a bit with the knife and Alyson said encouragingly – “Come on Kevin get it in!!” Which caused uproar. But that was the way she was, the classic Taurean Bull – let’s get it done!! In 39 years of marriage she sensed she was on borrowed time and a common expression was “lets get our proverbial in gear”, usually directed at Kevin!
In 1984 they were blessed with their son James.
Whilst the gigging with her father stopped around that time, she maintained her love of music with attendance at many events with her gigging partner Karen. She kept also her hand in performing karaoke at the Outback in Bakewell which was equally enjoyed with James and family friends Lauren and Debs, which she sorely missed when illness prevailed.
In 1991, she decided to change career and gained further qualifications including an Honours Degree in Environmental Health from Nottingham Trent University where she met new friends and maintained close friendships to this day. Alyson always treasured her friends and worked hard at being there for them when needed. She was delighted to have been maid of honour at her close friend Joanne’s wedding to Dave.
Professionally, Alyson worked at Rutland, Borough Council, Gedling Borough Council, Amber Valley BC and finally Derby City Council where latterly she was a Senior Environmental Health Officer. And she was rightly very proud of that! She was lead officer for many interesting investigations and prosecutions that protected the public.
She was devoted to family and friends and was a real people person with an enormous gift of empathy and affinity, she could understand how you felt. She was a very spiritual person and helped so many people. She adored family, from the times when the front door could barely open because of James’ friends’ shoes stacked up, to sitting with Sarah drinking wine at The Clock, and special times with granddaughter Zara, now aged 11. There were many stop-overs and cooking with Nanna which both enjoyed so much. Nanna’s chilli was always a firm favourite!
Alyson’s affinity for horses gave her enormous pleasure as horses don’t talk back! Well not directly anyway. She enjoyed those moments when she could gallop away without a care in the world, and she looked after her horses as you would expect with utmost care and attention. She also enjoyed the social aspects. When she became too ill to ride, she ensured the horses were passed on to good homes.
Her vivacious spirit, infectious smile and laughter will be so very greatly missed. She will be held in our hearts forever.”